Carter, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carter, Montana had a total population of 60, the 374th largest community in Montana. The poverty rate is 28.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Carter Quick Facts
How Carter Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118 | 60 | -49.2% |
| Median home value | $107,500 | $111,400 | +3.6% |
How Carter Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carter Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Chouteau County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Benton | 1,474 | $67,188 | 3.0% | $247,600 |
| Big Sandy | 784 | $60,521 | 8.6% | $187,500 |
| Geraldine | 317 | $43,036 | 24.3% | $106,300 |
| Boneau | 277 | $43,056 | 21.7% | N/A |
| Highwood | 205 | $85,500 | 6.8% | $200,000 |
| Loma | 73 | $51,227 | 13.7% | $112,300 |
| Twin Hills Colony | 48 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Square Butte | 28 | $48,500 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Floweree | 18 | $123,125 | 5.6% | $416,700 |
Cities Similar to Carter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgar | 60 | N/A | $247,200 | 5.0% | 6.7% |
| Jeffers | 60 | N/A | N/A | 43.3% | 13.3% |
| Coffee Creek | 61 | $85,833 | $276,700 | 85.7% | 0.0% |
| Jackson | 61 | N/A | N/A | 64.9% | 16.4% |
| Gildford Colony | 59 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 71.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 60, Carter's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Carter is a small community located in Montana, within Chouteau County. The total population is 60. It ranks as the 374th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carter is 43.0 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. With 31.7% of the population under 18, Carter has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 18.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 28.3%. This is 146% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Carter, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $111,400. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $375,800. 96.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carter is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.7% of the population.
Education
7.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carter, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in Montana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carter, Montana?
Carter, Montana has a population of 60 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carter, MT?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Carter — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carter, MT?
The poverty rate in Carter is 28.3%. This means approximately 17 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carter, Montana?
Carter's population is 56.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carter, MT?
The median home value in Carter is $111,400.
How educated is Carter, Montana?
7.3% of adults (25+) in Carter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.